Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1)

by Sharon Cummin

  “Hey,” I said, and he turned to me. “You okay?”

  “I am,” he said. “I'm fine. I'm so damn glad I'm here.”

  “Me too,” I said.

  I had Jenny ready for bed and tucked her in. Then I made my way over to my own room. I was pretty surprised when I was actually able to fall asleep and even more shocked when I heard my alarm go off and opened my eyes. It had been a long time since I'd been able to actually get a full night of sleep. I had been working hard on getting everything ready for the day that had finally come.

  Everyone was still asleep when I made my way to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I knew it wouldn't be long before Drake would be heading up the stairs for his cup, so I made two. When I turned to set them on the table, I saw an envelope with my name on it. I put the cups down and picked it up. Then I slid my finger under the flap wondering what could be inside. When I pulled it out, I smiled. It was a good luck card, and Jenny had scribbled in crayon all over it. When I opened the card, there was a folded up piece of paper and some kind of business card inside of it. I put them to the side for a moment while I read the inside and laughed when I saw Jenny's own little version of her signature. It was a bunch of scribble, but it meant the world to me. I sat down in the chair and unfolded the paper to read it.

  Derek,

  Congratulations! Good luck on your first day. When I look at how far you've come in the past year and a half, I'm so proud of you. You own your own company. That's exactly what you wanted. You are going to be an amazing security and PI guy.

  You're doing so well with your brother too. He's come a very long way from where he was when he moved here. I'm so happy to be here to help you both. He looks up to you, and I know you're the man he needs in his life. He's learning so much and growing into a great man as well.

  You are an amazing dad and do right by your daughter every single day. She will be so proud to call you her dad when she grows up. I can't wait to see you with her when you're walking her down the aisle one day. Bet that made you cringe. I know you will protect that little girl with everything you have.

  You've been busy with work, and I know that it's only going to get busier. You're happier than I've seen you in a long time. I can tell how excited you are about the company and how much you love Jenny, but you need to think about yourself sometimes too, Derek. We haven't talked about it, and I know better than to bring it up, so I left you this note. Along with it, there is a card. You're going to be busy, but you need to take some time for you as well. I think the card can help. Please don't be mad at me. Just go once. Be open minded about it. You never know, it could help. You could actually like it. I know you keep to yourself, and I'm not asking you to share with the world. I'm just asking you to go once and see what it's about. Don't speak at all, that's up to you. Just one time, and I'll never bring it up again. If you don't want to do it for you, then do it for Jenny. It might be good for her too.

  You need to be happy. It's not just about everyone else. We love you so much, all of us.

  Jean

  I looked down at the card on the table and read it. Then I shook my head and folded the letter back up. I'd just put both things in my wallet when Drake made his way up the stairs. Would I use the card, I wasn't sure. That wasn't something I could think about at the moment. I had a business to open, and that was where I needed my mind to be.

  “Hey, bro,” I said. “You ready for this?”

  “I am,” he said. “How long do you think it will take us to actually get a client?”

  “That I don't know,” I answered. “I've thought about that a million times myself.”

  We both grabbed something quick to eat on the road. When we got outside, Drake looked over at me.

  “I'm going to drive myself today,” he said.

  I shook my head but didn't blurt out what I was thinking. He was probably just as nervous as me about our first day as a company. I'd let the conversation we needed to have wait for a bit longer.

  I walked quickly through the lobby of the building on a much different mission than before. It wasn't just for Gabe, it was for me. There was no way I was paying attention to anything other than getting to my office. When I stepped out of the elevator and my eyes landed on the door that would lead to my company, I couldn't help but be filled with a sense a pride.

  The moment Brooks walked through the door, I knew he was there.

  “What the fuck?” he let out with a laugh. “Your ass is wearing a suit.”

  “You have something to say about that?” I asked, as I narrowed my eyes at him. “Do you think clients that are serious about security or looking for a private investigator want to meet with a guy in faded jeans and a t-shirt?”

  “I really hadn't thought about that,” he said, as he looked down at what he was wearing.

  “You can dress like that,” I said. “It's cool. I'll be the one meeting with clients.”

  “I was about to say,” he said. “I'm not wearing a monkey suit. Don't even think about it.”

  “I'm so hoping I made the right decision,” I said, as I turned and walked away from him. “Your office is this way.”

  “I get my own office?” he asked.

  “You do,” I said. “Don't make me regret it.”

  “Of course, Boss,” he said, as he walked behind me.

  I let him have a few minutes to soak up the fact that he had an office with his own computer before calling both him and Drake into the conference room. By the time we broke for lunch, we'd set up our company's social media and done a bit of advertising through there as well as buying some ads in the local papers.

  When we came back from lunch, we got right back at it. I was actually shocked at how much Brooks knew about advertising and business, and Drake was listening and taking in every little thing we were saying. I figured it would be at least a week before our office phone would ring, so I wasn't disappointed that we hadn't heard from anyone yet. Brooks had printed off a bunch of cards and fliers that he planned to distribute around the busy local business area as well as at bars and malls. I thought he was being ridiculous until I really thought about it. He was right. We had to start somewhere. It didn't matter if the jobs were big or small, we'd take them all.

  I was just getting ready to shut my laptop off and call it a day when the phone next to me rang and I practically jumped from my chair.

  “Hunter PI and Security,” I said, as I tried to keep my voice from sounding as shaky as I was.

  “I'd like to hire you for a job,” a nervous female voice came through the line. “I think my husband is having an affair, and I need to know for sure.”

  I sat there for the next half hour talking to a very sad woman about her possibly unfaithful husband. Once I had all of the details recorded and an appointment set up for the following morning for her to come into the office, I hung up the phone and stood from my chair. I'd never understand how someone could cheat on the one person they were supposed to love forever, but I knew we were going to get her the answers she was looking for. When I swung my office door open, I found both Brooks and Drake just outside my doorway looking like they were standing on pins and needles.

  “Well?” Drake asked.

  “We have a client,” I said, as a huge smile spread across my face.

  It was our first day and we already had a client. I was taking that as a definite win.

  “Want to go have a drink to celebrate?” Brooks asked cheerfully.

  I looked over at my brother, who looked less happy and more nervous than when I'd walked out of my office, and then back to Brooks.

  “Not tonight, man,” I said. “I need to get home to Jenny.”

  The three of us walked out of the building together. I looked between the two of them before getting in my truck with the biggest smile on my face. I'd definitely picked the right two guys to start my journey with me. Things were going to go great for our company, I could feel it.

  Chapter 4

  One and a Half Years
Later

  Derek

  I was sitting in my office, looking out the window, thinking about how far everything had come. Between the company and spending time with my little girl, who was growing faster than I could believe, I didn't have much time to think. From the second I opened my eyes each morning until the moment I fell into bed exhausted and knowing I couldn't stay awake one more second, I was on the move.

  Jenny had just turned three. She spent her days with her grandma and grandpa and her evenings and most weekends with me. Seeing her smile and feeling her arms hug tight around my neck were the best things in my life. I couldn't wait to hear about her day. Some days, I'd cut out early and surprise her with a daddy-daughter date. Her little face would light up as she thought about where she wanted to have dinner. We usually ended up at a fast food restaurant, but I always brought a blanket so we could eat at the park. She was getting ready to start preschool already. I couldn't believe how fast time was passing. My little girl was growing up.

  My brother had me prouder than ever. He'd gotten his GED and was taking classes in coding and web design. I made sure to get him anything he needed. He had already taken over the company's website and was doing an amazing job of it. Hearing him talk about what he could do to make things easier and better at work was music to my ears. He'd also gotten his own apartment. I told him he didn't need to move and that there was room for all of us at the house, but he wasn't having it. We looked for his place together. He found an awesome one not far from work, and I approved. Yes, I approved. He knew it was easier to let me have my say than to fight me. About the alcohol situation, it had to do with our mom's newest man. That fucker needed to stay as far away from me as possible. Not only did he turn into a total asshole when he was drunk and do things he didn't need to be doing, but he also didn't make it difficult for an underage kid to get into his shit. I really had called and pulled my brother out of that mess at the perfect time. He hadn't had a drop since he'd moved in with me. Even after he turned of age, he stayed away from it. I kept my ass out of the bar once he came along and I knew what he'd been through, so I guess he helped us both. Not that I drank a huge amount when I was there, but I was going more than I should have been. If we did meet up with the guys at the bar, I sat next to my boy with a soda in my hand as well. The guys knew better than to question it. I kept my shit locked up tight, and they all knew it. There was more to Drake than what he told me, and I knew he'd talk when he was ready. My job was to be there whenever he needed me, and I'd never let him down again.

  Business was going strong. If someone had told me just how many cheating spouses there were, I wouldn't have believed them. I still didn't get it. The more we caught, the more it irritated me. How could people not see that love isn't always going to be there? It could be snatched away at the least expected moment. Those damn men and women out doing whatever with whoever were something else. It seemed like people didn't even think before they reacted. Was anyone faithful anymore, I wondered? Doing what I did for a living taught me that nobody was to be trusted. The same went for men and women. Some of the spouses didn't see it coming. Everything seemed good on the surface. They'd talk about how great their relationships were and how amazing their spouse was. There would be just one little thing that they'd be questioning. I didn't know if it was denial or if their better halves were just that damn good at fooling them, but some of the shit we found was crazy. Some of them had other families, like kids and all. Others had multiple lovers. Part of me couldn't help but wonder how in the hell they didn't see that shit coming? People just weren't what they used to be, that I knew for sure. When we'd get a call on anything that wasn't a cheating spouse, I was all over it. We'd tracked down some stolen items, helped find some lost family members, and done some other cool stuff as well.

  Brooks had turned out to be pretty awesome. That surprised the shit out of me. Once I realized my brother wanted more to do with the office and computer part of the job, I brought on another guy to work out in the field on cases with Brooks and me.

  That card Jean left me that day, I'd used it. I can honestly say it was a great decision for so many reasons. Not only did it help Jenny, but it also helped me. Through that card, I met Taylor Reed. He had his own shit to deal with just like the rest of us, but he was a great guy. I hired him after knowing him about a year and couldn't have been happier. It probably helped that he was an ex-cop.

  I'd pulled out my drawer and was looking down at a picture when I heard a knock on my door. Damn! I'd come in a bit early to have some time to myself, but a few minutes was all I got.

  “Yeah,” I yelled out, knowing it was one of the guys and not a client since the main door was still locked.

  The door opened slowly and stopped after only a couple of feet. Then Taylor popped his head in.

  “You got a minute?” he asked.

  “I guess so,” I said with a grin, as I stood up and walked around my desk to meet him. The dude was nervous. I wasn't sure why, but that was a new look on him. “What the hell are you doing here so early?”

  “You know how you mentioned wanting to spend more time with Jenny and that you were thinking about bringing on another guy?”

  “Thinking about it,” I said. “I remember. We have enough work for it. I'm sure you could use a little more time with TJ. You wouldn't get as many hours though, so that would be up to you. Why do you ask?”

  “You remember me mentioning my brother?” he asked with a slight shake to his voice.

  “Yes,” I said. “Something about him thinking about making a move. Why?”

  “Well,” he said, before going silent.

  “Come on, Reed,” I snapped. “Spit the shit out already.”

  I heard a snort come from behind him and knew immediately what he was up to, but he was going to have to work for it.

  “He's here,” he said with a wince that had me holding back my laughter.

  “You're telling me you brought your brother here without talking to me about it?” I asked. “Mentioning you have a brother is not the same as asking if you can bring him to meet me.”

  “I know,” he said. “It wasn't like that. He showed up at my door last night. He's moving in with me.”

  The look on Taylor's face was priceless. It was like one of those people trying to signal you without using their words. It took all I had to keep a straight face.

  “That sounds like your problem, not mine,” I said.

  “I know,” he said. “I just.”

  “You just what?” I asked, cutting him off.

  “I thought maybe if you met him,” he began.

  “I'd what?” I asked, cutting him off again. “I'd fall in love with him and not be able to go on without having him be part of my company.”

  “Well,” he said, “no.”

  The scared look on his face had me unable to hold back any longer. I burst into laughter, and Taylor narrowed his eyes at me.

  “You were fucking with me the whole time,” he said, and I looked up from where I was bent over with my hands on my knees from laughing so hard. “Not funny, man.”

  “Fucking hilarious to me,” I said, as I stood up. “You should have seen your face. You looked like you were about to piss your pants. Where is this brother of yours? I heard his ass snort from behind you.”

  “Snort,” I heard growled out from behind him.

  Taylor stepped to the side.

  “This is my brother, Walker,” he began, as the guy came into view.

  “Walker fucking Reed,” I said, as my eyes widened.

  “Derek Hunter,” he said, as he walked right by Taylor and pulled me into a bro hug. “How the hell are you?”

  “No shit,” I said in total shock. “Walker Reed, I can't believe my eyes. I didn't even know you were out.”

  “I am,” he said with a nod. “My brother works for your ass?”

  “He does,” I answered with a smile. “How are you?”

  “Could be better,” he answered. “How's Jenni
fer?”

  I felt my whole body tense and looked over to see confusion on Taylor's face.

  “Jenny is his little girl. She's a cutie. How do you know about her?” Taylor asked.

  “Wait a minute,” Walker said, as he turned to his brother. “You said you met your boss at that.”

  “What brings you to town?” I asked Walker, cutting off the rest of his sentence.

  “But,” Walker said, as he turned back to me.

  “Not something I'm willing to talk about,” I said in a stern tone to let him know not to push me.

  “He's serious as shit about that,” Taylor said. “The man doesn't share.”

  “I'm sorry,” Walker said with a nod. “I've been out for just over a month. Came home early to surprise my wife, but I was the one that got the surprise.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked. “How did she surprise you?”

  “She was buck naked and riding my best friend when I walked through the door. It wasn't the welcome I was expecting,” he said with a shake of his head. “Can you believe that shit. It's been going on for years. I'm gone, working my ass off, and trying to help our country, and she's home fucking my best friend.”

  “I'm sorry,” I said. “That's awful. I don't get that shit, I really don't.”

  “My little brother said he has a great boss, and when I told him I wanted to get as far away from my ex as possible, he said I should come out and try to get a job here. He said his boss was military and might give me a shot.”

  “The kids?” I asked.

  “Yes, and she's claiming they aren't mine. I can't believe her, and that asshole isn't even the least bit remorseful. It's going to be a long battle. I know I wasn't around that much, but come on. It wasn't like I was off being a loser or something. I'm glad they're both so young. I can't imagine what this would all do to them if they were any older. It's not been easy, but I had to get out of there. I couldn't be around her or him. I don't know what I'll do if they aren't mine. I fucking stopped being a SEAL for my boys. I came home to be a dad.”